Tuesday, June 12, 2018

I love working in polymer clay. I have used the clay to create jewelry, miniatures and wall pieces. I enjoy learning different techniques and experimenting with surface treatments, including using stencils. It is a very flexible (no pun intended) medium, both in how it can be used and how artists use it to interpret their ideas. One book that I find compelling is Laurie Mika’s Mixed Media Mosaics because she has an unorthodox approach to the clay. She developed her own style, making the clay accommodate to her needs. Besides that, her work is beautiful and inspiring! The book is delicious eye candy. While it does have projects one can follow, with great instructions, for me this book is more of a go to when I need a jolt of creativity juice. I return to it often and always find something to propel me back into the studio.

All that being said about polymer, the piece I was inspired to make has no polymer clay! I used paper clay instead, which I discovered a year ago and also love using since you can make very light but big pieces to wear. I have always been enchanted by dollhouses and I especially love the graphics of Victorian paper dollhouses. I happened upon a set of three papier mache houses at Michael’s and thought I would try to bring a little Laurie Mika to a paper dollhouse. I hope you enjoy the video I made of the process.

And to top it all off, on my birthday this month I finally got to meet Laurie at one of her workshops which my best friend and I participated in at the lovely Queen’s Ink in Savage, MD. I learned so much that I am hoping to incorporate into my own work. Steph and I are already planning a time to have an art day to make more pieces. Here are photos of our creations. We are already both plotting to go to Laurie’s workshop in Mexico as soon as we can! What more could a girl ask for for her birthday!

One lucky winner will receive Laurie Mika's stencils plus a set of her Female Collage Image Sheets!Enter by commenting below by June 17th, 2018. One winner will be chosen at random on June 18th. Winner notified by email.

Love this whole package......just finished two classes with Laurie, she never ceases to amaze me! I learn something new every single class.....such a generous artist and an awesome teacher! Thanks for the chance to win! jmos2(at)comcast(dot)net

I bet I've walked past these papier mache pieces a dozen times at Michael's but it took great imagination and some very cool stencils to transform them into these amazing dollhouses! Fabulous job! Nice prize package - thx for the chance to win.whowse (at) sympatico (dot ca)

Just watched the video and my first response is: Wow!!! I wasn't going to post anything here as I'm one of those people who never win anything but, what the heck, might as well give it a shot. Thanks for the opportunity - those are truly amazing stencils.

Your video has given my imagination such an incredible jolt! Exactly the direction I needed for some wooden cigar boxes I’ve been holding onto. Wow can’t wait to get started! Deborah (at) dbs22758@gmail.com